CHEMO FLUSH TRAPPER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/640,116, filed on Apr. 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a chemo flush trapper for mitigating chemotherapy-related vapors and odors that can emanate from waste product in a toilet.

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapeutic drugs pose a significant risk to healthcare workers. Exposure to these medications can result in acute health effects including nausea, rashes, hair loss, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, and cardiac toxicity. In addition, long-term exposure can lead to serious health effects such as cancer, organ toxicity, fertility issues, genetic damage, and congenital disabilities. It is important for healthcare workers to take necessary precautions to minimize their exposure to these hazardous drugs.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers a drug hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the following characteristics in humans or animals: carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, genotoxicity, or the structure and toxicity profiles of new drugs that mimic existing hazardous drugs. Moreover, USP General Chapter <800> sets standards for handling hazardous drugs, facility and engineering controls, procedures for deactivating and cleaning, spill control, and documentation. These standards apply to all healthcare personnel who receive, prepare, administer, transport, or otherwise come in contact with hazardous drugs and all the environments in which they are handled. In short, healthcare workers as well as other should avoid contact with the chemotherapeutics.

If a patient taking chemotherapeutics (“chemo”) uses a toilet, the patient's urine and/or feces (“chemo waste”) may contain chemo-related chemicals, medicaments, therapeutics, and/or the like, as a result of the patient's chemo treatment, which as noted can be harmful to those not undergoing chemo. Examples of these harmful chemotherapeutics include Alkylating agents, Antimetabolites, Anti-tumor antibiotics, Topoisomerase inhibitors, Mitotic inhibitors and Plant alkaloids. Furthermore, these chemo related chemicals and/or medicaments may go airborne as vapors when the patient uses a toilet (especially when the patient flushes). When airborne, healthcare workers or others may inadvertently breathe in these harmful chemo vapors.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a trap (also referred to herein as a “chemo flush trapper”) for chemo-related vapors that can emanate from waste product in a toilet.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a cover for a toilet bowl configured to cover an upper opening of the toilet bowl. The cover may include a first surface facing an interior of the toilet bowl and a second surface opposite the first surface. The cover may be configured to be removably attached to a portion of a toilet comprising the toilet bowl. The apparatus also includes a chemical composition layer coupled to the cover. The chemical composition layer may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The one or more chemicals may include at least activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate. The apparatus also includes an elastic element disposed along at least a portion of a periphery of the cover. The elastic element may be configured to removably affix the cover to an upper periphery of the toilet bowl.

In some embodiments, the cover may further include a first layer forming the first surface and a second layer forming the second surface, with the chemical composition layer being sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cover further may include a fixing layer adhered to the chemical composition layer. The fixing layer may include an adhesive that holds the arrangement of the one or more chemicals in place.

Further yet, in some embodiments, the cover further may include a paper layer disposed at the second surface of the cover, the paper layer configured to absorb the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The chemical composition layer may be disposed between the paper layer and the interior of the toilet bowl.

Even further, in some embodiments, the cover further may include a plastic layer disposed at the first surface of the cover and exposed to the interior of the toilet bowl. The plastic layer may be disposed between the chemical composition layer and the interior of the toilet bowl.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the cover may be made of a deformable material configured to change its shape when moved to expose the upper opening of the toilet bowl.

Also, in some embodiments, the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layer may further include sodium polyacrylate.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the arrangement of the one or more chemicals may include a chemical mixture that is formed by the one or more chemicals being mixed together.

Further yet, in some embodiments, the arrangement of the one or more chemicals may include a plurality of distinct regions, each of which containing a particular one of the one or more chemicals. The plurality of distinct regions may extend laterally or longitudinally relative to the cover.

Even further, in some embodiments, the elastic element may be further configured to enable the cover to stretch over and seal the upper opening of the toilet bowl.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a detection strip disposed on the second surface of the cover, the detection strip configured to detect whether the chemical composition layer has been exposed to the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. Upon detection of the chemical composition layer having been exposed to the vapors, the detection strip may be further configured to provide a visual indication of the detection.

Also, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an adhesive element coupled to the cover and configured to removably attach the cover to the portion of the toilet.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, wherein the waste product may include one or more of urine and feces from a chemotherapy patient.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a cover for a toilet bowl configured to cover an upper opening of the toilet bowl. The cover may include a first surface facing an interior of the toilet bowl and a second surface opposite the first surface. The cover may be configured to be removably attached to a portion of a toilet comprising the toilet bowl. The apparatus also includes a chemical composition layer coupled to the cover. The chemical composition layer may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The one or more chemicals may include at least activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate. The apparatus also includes a detection strip disposed on the second surface of the cover. The detection strip may be configured to detect whether the chemical composition layer has been exposed to the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl and, upon detection of the chemical composition layer having been exposed to the vapors, configured to provide a visual indication of the detection.

In some embodiments, the detection strip may include bromophenol blue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings,

FIGS. 1A and 1B include a side view and a top view, respectively, of a toilet including a toilet bowl containing waste product;

FIGS. 2A and 2B include a side view and a top view, respectively, of an exemplary chemo flush trapper coupled to a toilet and covering a toilet bowl containing c waste product;

FIGS. 3A and 3B include isolated views of an inner surface of the chemo flush trapper of FIGS. 2A and 2B, each view showing an exemplary arrangement of one or more chemicals in a chemical composition layer;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the chemo flush trapper of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the chemo flush trapper of FIGS. 2A and 2B being moved to expose the toilet bowl; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the chemo flush trapper of FIGS. 2A and 2B, including a toilet seat positioned above the chemo flush trapper.

It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For example, “coupled” may mean that two or more elements do not contact each other but are indirectly joined together via another element or intermediate elements.

Referring now to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a trap (also referred to herein as a “chemo flush trapper”) that reduces, limits, and/or eliminates harmful vapors that can emanate from a toilet (or the toilet bowl) when the toilet is used by patients undergoing chemotherapeutics (chemo). The waste product (i.e., urine and/or stool) of a patient undergoing chemotherapy can contain harmful chemotherapeutics, so the vapors (which are released from the toilet bowl containing the urine and/or stool) can also carry the harmful chemotherapeutics, especially when the toilet is flushed.

FIGS. 1A and 1B include a side view and a top view, respectively, of a toilet 100 including a toilet bowl 102 containing waste product 115. The toilet 100 may be any suitable toilet known in the art, including standard componentry such as a toilet bowl 102 for containing flush water and/or waste product (e.g., urine and/or feces), a rim 104 surrounding the toilet bowl 102, a tank 106 for holding flush water and an internal flushing assembly (not shown), and a rotatable seat 108 that may be moved into a sitting position atop the rim 104 or a stowed position perpendicular to the rim 104. However, the configuration of the toilet 100 may vary. As shown, the toilet bowl 102 includes an upper opening (proximate the rim 104) that is uncovered, thus exposing the interior of the toilet bowl 102, and any contents therein, to the surrounding atmosphere.

Furthermore, as shown, the toilet bowl 102 may contain water contaminated by waste product 115 (e.g., urine and/or feces) with vapors 110 (e.g., gas, liquid, particles, fumes, odors, etc.) depicted by arrows emanating from the waste product 115 outwardly of the toilet bowl 102. In some embodiments, the waste product 115 may include one or more of urine and feces from a chemotherapy patient (“chemo waste”) which, as noted above, may include chemo vapors that are hazardous to humans, including healthcare workers. The present disclosure is not limited to chemo waste, however, as the embodiments discussed herein are applicable to waste product not containing chemo waste, as well.

FIGS. 2A and 2B include a side view and a top view, respectively, of an exemplary chemo flush trapper coupled to the toilet 100 and covering the toilet bowl 102 containing waste product 115. As shown, the chemo flush trapper is affixed to the toilet 100 to prevent, limit, or reduce the harmful chemo vapors 110 from emanating from the toilet bowl 102.

The chemo flush trapper may include a cover 150 configured to cover the upper opening of the toilet bowl 102. The cover 150 may be configured with a proximal end (adjacent the tank 106) and a distal end (opposite the tank 106). The cover 150 may also include a first surface facing the interior of the toilet bowl 102, in which the waste product 115 resides, and a second surface opposite the first surface exposed to the surrounding atmosphere. The layering of the cover 150 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 4, which illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the chemo flush trapper.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cover 150 of the chemo flush trapper may consist of multiple layers. For example, as shown, the cover 150 may include a chemical composition layer 402 comprising an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate the vapors 110 emanating from waste product 115 inside the toilet bowl 102. The chemical composition of the chemical composition layer 402 will be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the chemical composition layer 402 may be sandwiched between a first layer (e.g., plastic layer 408) which forms the first (inner) surface of the cover 150 and a second layer (e.g., paper layer 410) which forms the second (outer) surface of the cover 150, as shown. Furthermore, the cover 150 may include a fixing layer 404 adhered to the chemical composition layer 402. According to some embodiments, the fixing layer 404 may be a carrier which contains the chemical composition layer 402 in place. For example, the fixing layer 404 may comprise an adhesive that holds the arrangement of the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layer 402 in place.

Additionally, the cover 150 may include a plastic layer 408 disposed at the first (inner) surface of the cover 150 and exposed to the interior of the toilet bowl 102. For example, the plastic layer 408 may include a pad and/or a waterproof backing. As shown, the plastic layer 408 may be disposed between the chemical composition layer 402 and the interior of the toilet bowl 102.

The cover 150 may further include a paper layer 410 disposed at the second (outer) surface of the cover 150. In some embodiments, the paper layer 410 may be configured to absorb the vapors 110 emanating from waste product 115 inside the toilet bowl 102. For example, the paper layer 410 may include an absorbent paper material that helps absorb the emanating vapors 110. As shown, the chemical composition layer 402 may be disposed between the paper layer 410 and the interior of the toilet bowl 102. Moreover, the paper layer 410 and the plastic layer 408 may sandwich the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layer 402 and its carrier, i.e., fixing layer 404, therebetween. By doing so, the inner and outer layers of the cover 150 may provide a degree of protection for the chemicals of the chemical composition layer 402.

Furthermore, the paper and plastic layering enable the cover 150 to be deformable such that it can change its shape when a user (e.g., a patient or a hospital worker) moves the cover 150 to expose the upper opening of the toilet bowl 102 (e.g., to use the toilet). For example, FIG. 5 is a side view of the chemo flush trapper being moved to expose the toilet bowl 102. As shown, the cover 150 can be rolled, folded, or otherwise deformably moved away from the rim 104 of the toilet bowl 102 to expose the upper opening of the toilet bowl, allowing the toilet 100 to be used. For example, the cover 150 can be removed from the rim 104 of the toilet bowl 102, such as by folding or rolling the cover 150, and stowed near the rear of the toilet 100 (i.e., adjacent the tank 106). This can be performed without fully removing the cover 150 from the toilet 100, as the cover 150 may remain attached to the toilet 100 (e.g., via adhesive element 126) while it is stowed away. Once the cover 150 is stowed and the upper opening of the toilet bowl 102 is exposed, the user may optionally lower the seat 108 onto the rim 104 for use, after which the cover 150 can be pulled back over the upper opening of the toilet bowl 102, thereby regaining its original shape as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second (outer) surface of the cover 150 is shown facing outwardly, visible to patients or hospital workers, when the chemo flush trapper is positioned to seal the toilet bowl 102. As shown in FIG. 2B, the chemo flush trapper may include a detection strip 120 disposed on the second surface of the cover 150. The detection strip 120 may be configured to detect whether the chemical composition layer 402 has been exposed to the vapors 110 emanating from waste product 115 inside the toilet bowl 102. In some embodiments, upon detection of the chemical composition layer 402 having been exposed to the vapors 110, the detection strip 120 may be further configured to provide a visual indication of the detection. For example, the detection strip 120 may be configured to change colors when the first surface of the cover 150, which faces the interior of toilet bowl 102, has been exposed to the harmful vapors 110, e.g., by detecting moisture, a pH change, etc. In this way, the detection strip 120 can indicate when it is time to change the chemo flush trapper with another (e.g., unused or new) chemo flush trapper.

In some embodiments, the detection strip 120 may be composed of a compound, such as bromophenol blue. Bromophenol blue is an acid-base indicator that changes colors (e.g., to blue) upon detecting moisture, a pH change, or the like, indicating that the chemical composition layer 402 has been exposed to the vapors 110. In such case, the bromophenol blue strip may be in contact with at least a portion of the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layer 402, thus enabling the detection strip 120 to change color (e.g., upon detecting moisture or a pH change) and signal that the chemo flush trapper should be replaced.

Furthermore, the detection strip 120 may be formed in various shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the detection strip 120 may be formed in the shape of a rectangle that extends longitudinally relative to the cover 150, as shown in FIG. 2B. In other embodiments, for example, the detection strip 120 may be formed in the shape of a cross, a pound-sign, and so on. Varying the shape, size, and location of the detection strip 120 relative to the cover 150 may impact the detection sensitivity of the strip, as desired.

In addition, the chemo flush trapper may include an elastic element 125 disposed along at least a portion of a periphery of the cover 150, as best shown in FIG. 2A. The elastic element 125 may be configured to removably affix the cover 150 to an upper periphery of the toilet bowl 102 (i.e., rim 104). In some embodiments, the elastic element 125 may enable the cover 150 to stretch over and at least partially seal a portion of the upper opening of the toilet bowl 102 (at or just below the rim 104). For example, the elastic element 125 may include an elastic garter, a rubber band, or other material allowing for the periphery of the cover 150 to stretch.

Furthermore, during operation, the cover 150 of the chemo flush trapper may be removably attached to a portion of the toilet 100. In some embodiments, the chemo flush trapper may include an adhesive element 130 that is coupled to the cover 150 and configured to removably attach the cover 150 to a portion of the toilet 100, as shown in FIG. 2B. Various adhesives may be utilized as the adhesive element 130, such as double-sided tape, glue, or any other suitable form of adhesive. For example, the adhesive element 130 may be disposed on the first (inner) surface of the cover 150, at or near the proximal end of the cover 150 (adjacent the tank 106). In some embodiments, the adhesive element 130 may run along at least a portion of the periphery of the first surface of the cover 150. In this way, the adhesive element 130 may be used to affix and/or seal the cover 150 to the toilet 100.

Next, FIGS. 3A and 3B include isolated views of the first (inner) surface of the cover 150, each view showing an exemplary arrangement of one or more chemicals in the chemical composition layer 402. For the sake of demonstration, the plastic layer 408 and fixing layer 404 are omitted from view, so the chemical composition layer 402 may be more easily shown. As noted above, the chemical composition layer 402 may be coupled to the cover 150 and may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate the vapors 110 emanating from waste product 115 inside the toilet bowl 102.

The one or more chemicals in the chemical composition layer 402, as well as the arrangement of the one or more chemicals, may vary. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more chemicals may include activated charcoal which is used to absorb gases, such as at the harmful vapors 110 emanating from the waste product 115. Activated charcoal physiochemical characteristics, such as its pore and surface chemistry, are the key characteristics that influence its adsorption capacity. The one or more chemicals may further include sodium bicarbonate which is used to absorb moisture (e.g., from the vapors 110) that might emanate from a flush. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance that reacts to neutralize acidic odors and can absorb moisture and neutralize and eliminate odors. Furthermore, the one or more chemicals may further include sodium polyacrylate which is used to absorb and retain moisture (e.g., from urine and/or splashing). Sodium polyacrylate, a superabsorbent polymer with water-binding properties, is often utilized in diapers, for example, for absorption of liquid.

Any one chemical or a combination of chemicals listed above may be utilized in the chemical composition layer 402. Additional chemicals not mentioned herein may be added as well to supplement any one or more of those listed above.

The arrangement of one or more chemicals in the chemical composition layer 402 may also vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the arrangement of one or more chemicals may include a chemical mixture 310 that is formed by the one or more chemicals being mixed together. When the chemicals are mixed together, as shown, substantially equal amounts of each chemical may be dispersed across the entire inner surface area of the cover 150 in a uniform manner. This arrangement may ensure that each region of the cover 150 has roughly equivalent absorption capability. Furthermore, mixing all chemicals together may provide greater efficiency from a manufacturing perspective.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the arrangement of one or more chemicals may include a plurality of distinct regions 320, each of which containing a particular one of the one or more chemicals. In this way, each chemical is disposed along the cover 150 separately of one another. For example, as shown, the arrangement of chemicals may include a first chemical 320a (e.g., activated charcoal) and a second chemical 320b (e.g., sodium bicarbonate) alternately arranged in a “stripe” pattern. One or more additional chemicals may be added to the stripe pattern, as well (e.g., sodium polyacrylate). In some embodiments, the distinct regions 320 may extend longitudinally relative to the cover 150 (as shown) or laterally (e.g., across) relative to the cover 150. However, the regions may be arranged in any other suitable manner in which the chemicals are separately disposed in distinct regions of the first surface of the cover 150.

In use, the chemo flush trapper may be deployed by unsealing the trapper (if applicable) to expose the adhesive element 130 (e.g., double-sided tape which is on at least a portion of the cover 150) to affix or secure the cover 150 to a portion of the toilet 100 (or its rim 104), which is open to receive the waste product (e.g., urine and/or feces) of a user. The elastic element 125, which in some embodiments may be water resistant and/or slip resistant, may be secured around the rim 104 to at least partially seal the upper opening of the bowl 102 and also secure the cover 150 to the toilet 100. Next, the toilet seat 108 may be lowered over the cover 150, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, which is a top view of the chemo flush trapper, with the toilet seat 108 positioned above the cover 150. This may help ensure the cover 150 is sealed (although the lid 108 does not need to be lowered), in conjunction with the elastic element 125 which affixes the cover 150 to the toilet bowl 102, thus limiting the release of chemo vapors, urine, and water splash. The toilet 100 can be flushed with the chemo flush trapper in place.

Disclosed herein is a chemo flush trapper that is configured to cover a toilet, such that when the toilet is flushed the chemo flush trapper will adsorb and/or absorb some, if not all, of the hazardous chemo vapor, urine, and/or water splash. Adsorption is the process by which the solid (e.g., the activated charcoal powder) holds molecules of a gas, a liquid, or a solute as a thin film, and absorption is the process of taking in water or liquid (e.g., the absorbing paper and sodium bicarbonate). As noted, the activated charcoal adsorbs the gas state or vapor, while the absorbing paper with sodium bicarbonate absorbs the liquid state of urine with chemo waste. In this way, the chemo flush trapper is able to capture and limit the spread and exposure to chemo vapor and urine flush. Furthermore, because the disclosed chemo flush trapper is disposable and easily replaced, it is efficient for use in a hospital setting where production of chemo waste is frequent. In addition, the elastic periphery of the chemo flush trapper enables the cover to fit onto toilet bowls of varying sizes.

In some implementations, toilet use is exclusive to patients undergoing chemotherapy (inpatient or outpatient). When this is the case, the chemo flush trapper may be kept over the toilet bowl when not in use so the chemo vapor emanating from the bowl can be adsorbed and absorbed by the chemo flush trapper. The use of the chemo flush trapper may thus reduce and

Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. For example, the logic flows may include different and/or additional operations than shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.